Bernie Sanders Responds To Colorado Capitol Protest Arrests: "They Deserve To Be Applauded"
DENVER (CBS4) - One day after more than three dozen people were arrested for disrupting Gov. Jared Polis' State of the State address to the Colorado Legislature, a major candidate for president chimed in. Democrat Bernie Sanders said on Twitter Friday that the protesters "deserve to be applauded."
Sanders tweeted his support Friday morning.
Young people are showing the courage to lead the fight against a climate disaster when many of our leaders won't lift a finger. They do not deserve to be arrested – they deserve to be applauded and heard. https://t.co/H0TANPrfNw
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 10, 2020
The Sunrise Movement, a climate change activist group, tweeted out a live video of the protests on Thursday. After Colorado State Patrol troopers removed and arrested 38 people for disruption.
News Conference: Activists speak about 33 people arrested at the State Capitol by Denver police on ThursdayNews Conference: Activists speak about 33 people arrested at the State Capitol by Denver police on Thursday Previous coverage:
Posted by CBS Denver on Friday, January 10, 2020
A total of 15 of those stayed in jail overnight. They draped a banner from the House chamber gallery that said "No Wells at Bella Romero. No More Sacrifice Zones."
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Many of the protesters were in court Friday morning and were released, about 24 hours after the protest, on personal recognizance bonds of $750. All involved faced Class-2 and Class-3 misdemeanor charges.
Dana Miller, one of those in Extinction Rebellion not taken into custody told reporters, "Extinction is happening now we will not be silenced. The people's voices must be heard."
The following video showing the arrests was posted to the Extinction Rebellion Facebook page. The disturbance begins approximately five minutes in.